Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has inked INR 5,375 crore ($ 716 million) contract with GE Aviation for the supply of 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines along with support services for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ programme.
HAL also announced that the upcoming Tejas MkII’ Medium Weight Fighter’ will be powered by F414 engines manufactured under India's license from GE Aviation.
The deal was the largest placed by the company for the LCA programme, said R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL. The F404-GE-IN20 engines will be fitted on 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft with 16 spare engines remaining. The Bengaluru- based state-owned airframer is also working with GE to become part of the global supply chain for GE 404 engines.
Chris Cyr, Vice President, Business Development & Sales, GE Aviation, said, “The F404 family of engines has proven itself in operations all over the world, and we have committed to deliver all 99 engines and support services by 2029.”
In their Mk1 and upcoming Mk-1A variants, Tejas light fighters will be powered by F404-GE-IN20 engines, which have seen service in India since 2004. The Indian Air Force has placed orders with HAL for 40 Tejas Mk-1 and 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.
The F404-GE-IN20 is the most powerful variant of the highly successfully F404 engine family. F404 engines and their variants have powered 15 different production and prototype aircraft worldwide, logging more than 14 million engine flight hours.